Funders and Supporters

Tullie is proud to be part of the heartbeat of Carlisle’s cultural life, using our collections, programmes and spaces to inspire creativity, spark curiosity and connect people with each other.

This work is made possible through the generous support of a wide range of organisations. Their investment enables us to care for our nationally significant collections, deliver ambitious exhibitions and learning programmes, and create meaningful opportunities for people to explore, discover and engage.

  • Cumberland Council
  • Arts Council England
  • The National Lottery Heritage Fund
  • UK Government
  • Garfield Weston Foundation
  • Historic England
  • Wolfson Foundation
  • The Architectural Heritage Fund
  • The Headley Trust
  • The Linbury Trust
  • Ashden Climate Solutions
  • The Foyle Foundation
  • Benny Walker Charitable Trust
  • The Swire Charitable Trust
  • The Band Trust
  • The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
  • Art Fund
  • Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund
  • Henry Moore Foundation
  • Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art
  • Francis Scott Trust
  • The British Museum
  • Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society
  • And other trusts and funders who prefer to remain anonymous

Project Tullie

Project Tullie is our long-term Futureplan to transform the museum over the next 10-15 years, creating an innovative, welcoming and sustainable cultural hub for Carlisle and Cumbria.

To date, we have secured over £14 million towards this ambitious programme, thanks to the support of a wide range of organisations.

More information on Project Tullie.

Phase 1: The Costume Collection (completed 2021)

Supported by

  • Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and the Northern Powerhouse
  • Garfield Weston Foundation
  • Former Carlisle City Council
  • DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund
  • Arts Council England

Phase 2: Welcome and Entrance (Completed 2025)

Phase 2 of Project Tullie was completed in April 2025 and delivered a revitalised entrance and atrium space, new retail offer, and a brand-new ground floor gallery dedicated to our Great Border City.

The project has been made possible with funding by the UK Government, including support from the UK Government’s Town Fund and Future High Streets Fund. Further supported with £2 million public funding from HM Government administered by Arts Council England.

The Gatehouse (Completed February 2025)

Thanks to a generous grant by Historic England, we were able to undertake significant and urgent restoration works, allowing us to revitalise our iconic gatehouse and have it removed from the Heritage at Risk Register.

Image ©Hufton+Crow

Current Projects

Castle Street (Phase 2++)

Supported by

  • Historic England (Heritage at Risk Capital Fund Programme)
  • The Architectural Heritage Fund (Heritage Revival Fund)
  • The Benny Walker Charitable Trust
  • The Energy Efficiency Fund, a funding partnership between The Linbury Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The Headley Trust, with support from Ashden Climate Solutions
  • The Foyle Foundation

Phase 3: Breaking Down Barriers

Supported by

  • The National Lottery Heritage Fund
  • Garfield Weston Foundation
  • Wolfson Foundation
  • The Headley Trust
  • The Swire Charitable Trust
  • The Band Trust
  • The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
  • And others who prefer to remain anonymous

Thank you

We are incredibly grateful to all of our funders and supporters for their continued commitment to Tullie.

If you would like to learn more about supporting Tullie or explore how your organisation could play a part in our future, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please contact our Development team at: development@tullie.org.uk